"S" to-the-"I" to-the-"C" to-the-"K"!!!

So...we've been sick!  As in all 5 of us S-I-C-K!  Like middle of the winter sick.  In fact... in a span of three weeks we have all been on antibiotics.  There have been ear infections, sinus infections, croup, upper respiratory infections and bronchitis.  Fun times here!  Don't you wish your family was blessed with all this sickness?  No..I kid...it's been horrible and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I'm still coughing...good times.  Bella is still coughing....Mark's ear is still bugging him, but we press on.

Out of all of us though...Bella has been the most sick.  She is the one that scared me, ER visit, and two weeks later double ear infections. 

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She spent about a week sleeping at the foot of our bed just so I could hear her.  Poor baby.

Luke seems to have made his full recovery.  Going a zillion miles a minute and "crashing" at night to sleep.  He has a very nice teacher this year and I feel we are blessed.  She moved up from 3rd grade this past year, but really seems to know how to connect with 5th graders...seriously how can he be in 5th grade :(

Grace is doing well too!  She loves school and there is nothing greater than being able to check on her, hug her and talk to her throughout the day.  She loves helping me set up my classroom in the morning.

I missed the 3rd day of school....seriously...I hated every minute of it, but my temperature was 102 degrees...what can you do?

This last picture is just for fun.  Last week when I was so sick and didn't do ANYTHING (dishes, laundry, etc...) the kids took advantage and messes like this greeted me when I finally emerged from our bedroom. Oh play-doh how I have a love/hate relationship with you.  So beneficial but so messy and potential for destruction of carpet is very HIGH!

Can't wait to post when we are finally healthy and well.  That's all from the Dahl House!!! Peace Out! :)

Babies Don't Keep

Time has a way of marching on.  You can't stop it, contain it or add to it.  It just ticks silently by.  Somehow your three year old that you are just certain started preschool is now somehow in the 5th grade.  Growing taller, stronger and smarter with each passing day.  I told him before he went to his first day of 5th grade I was going to shrink him back down until he was three years old again.  He just laughs at me and says "mom...your so funny."  I smile back but the truth is I can't believe how fast time flies by.  I can't keep him little.

I am so proud about what Luke has accomplished.  He has defied the odds and this mama celebrates his life! So many days he is my hero.  I look at him and I feel his strength.  What a blessing he is.  I remind myself to hold on to every moment, every hug, every time he wants me to play with him, because I know there will come a time I will not be a preferred playmate.

Here is her sweetness on her first day of preschool.  Three years old and ready to conquer the world!  Oh how I lover her adorable cheeks and the fact she let me dress her and do her hair any way that I liked.  How is it possible she stands in front of the same door (same doormat and boots) and has grown up into a 3rd grader?  Be still my heart!!!

I'm so happy that she was excited for school this year.  She made me so proud on the first day the way she marched right into her classroom and embraced her new school.  The school she desired to go too.  What a perfect fit her sweet personality.  A small class of 17 kids and personal attention and connection to her teacher. I am excited for her school year and happy to be on this side of the valley we went through last year.

Oh how I long to hold that sweet little baby again!!! She was 5 days old in this picture.  Complete miracle and I am pinching myself because I still can't believe God allowed me to have her.  She has changed me for the better.  She has taught me so many lessons (as all my kids have).  Babies don't keep...her newborn smell faded, she learned to hold her head up, roll over, talk, crawl, walk.  So much in the first year. 

You blink and here is the same baby ready for her first day of preschool!  Where did the time go?  She did incredible on her first day.  Marched right into her classroom and talked to her teacher.  NO TEARS!  A year ago (heck three months ago) I didn't think preschool would be possible for Bella.  But here she is....making progress...ready to learn and spread her wings just a little more.  

I keep holding them tight because even though they will always be my babies...babies don't keep.

Why Croup is Terrifying

Seriously....like the Dahl kids have been taking turns being sick since August 15th!  You think it was the middle of February around here with the amount of cold medicine, nose blowing, coughing, antibiotics and humidifying we have been doing around here.  Please tell me it's early?!?

 (This is how old Bella was the first time she had croup)

I kid you not...in the month of August we have gone to the doctor 4 times, the urgent care 2 times, 2 trips to the ER, 8 trips to counseling, and 2 OT therapy sessions!  Throw in a little drama with our health insurance (they decided to drop our coverage since they thought Mark didn't work at BNSF anymore...can we say whoops computer glitch).  Trying to get antibiotics for a girl with a double ear infection on a Friday afternoon when the pharmacy tech tells you "sorry your coverage was terminated that will be 49 dollars" the mama bear comes out!!! We've been busy...Sheesh!

(Second time she had croup)

This past week takes the cake though.  I've been preparing a classroom for morning kindergartners, beginning of the year teacher meetings, meet the teacher nights and dealing with sick, irritable children. Then Tuesday evening I had no sooner told Mark, "Bella sounds croupy," and sure enough 1:30am, I am jolted from bed by a gasping for every breath three year old baby girl.  This wasn't my first rodeo with croup.  Bella has actually had it twice before, but I was gripped with the intense panic and fear of my baby struggling to breathe.  She was crying, and trying to vomit and gasping, and I can still hear it in my mind.  TERRIFYING!!! I almost called 911! I began praying out loud as I threw clothes on, and Mark buckled her in her seat.  I remember looking at Mark and asking "Are we going to to make it?"  As always Mr. Steady looks at me and says "yes, you are going to make it.  She will be ok."  Somehow he has this ability to make me believe that I am strong.  He doesn't react, he doesn't panic.  I do enough for us both :)

There is no one on the roads at 1:30am.  NO.ONE.  I drive quickly while glancing in the rear view mirror every five seconds to make sure she is still breathing.  I can hear croupy breath...she has a difficult time speaking to me...but she is with me.  I keep talking to her as calmly as I can..."hey baby...we are going to the doctor...they are going to give you medicine and make you feel all better.  It's going to be ok (reassuring her and me).

We make it to Legacy Salmon Creek ER.  There is no one in the waiting room.  We get our hospital I.D. badges and we wait to be called back.  I am more than a little ticked that no one comes to get us for like 10 minutes.  I feel like screaming "my baby is having a difficult time breathing! Don't you care!" but I hold it together patting her on the back.  We finally make it to the room.  She is running a fever, she is congested, her blood oxygen level is 99 percent so that relaxes me a little.  Her and I are laying on the hospital bed.  She whispers to me, "I sick mom."  "Yes, baby...but the doctor is going to make you feel better," I reply.  The nurse comes in followed by the doctor.  I could have diagnosed her myself.  She has croup.  Yep...I agree.  Someone comes down from the respiratory department and attempts to administer a breathing treatment.  Yep...no face mask for my baby girl, so I hold the plastic tube of vapor as close to her nose and mouth as I can.  He listens to her back and chest during the treatment.  The nurse brings oral steroids and mixes them in apple juice.  Bless.her.heart for knowing how icky they taste.  Bella drinks the apple juice and then they give her a bright red Popsicle.  I don't even care how much Red 40 food dye is in it.  She perks up after the breathing treatment.   The nurse then attaches a pulse oxygen monitor to her big toe and it glows red.  Bella is not too happy about that, but tolerates.

The doctor comes in to check on her and then lets me know there is a two hour observation after steroids are given.  Fabulous!  While I appreciate why they observe for two house I brought nothing to entertain her (since I left in such a hurry) with and those steroids really wired her up.  She was so funny chatting a mile a minute and then there was the 4 trips to the bathroom in 2 hours.  4 times unhooking the oxygen monitor and reattaching it.  4 times they ask where we were off too.  I began to struggle with a bit of anxiety once I knew she was going to be ok.  All the adrenaline, the exhaustion, and being all alone were not a good combination for me.  I really HATE the ER too.  I wished Mark had been there so we could have tackled it as a team, or mom there to talk too and lean on, but I was strong and fought through it.  I prayed a lot.  Around 4am the ER really started to get hopping.  At 5:30am we were given the ok to head home.  I was very glad to leave, and more happy that she was going to be ok, and was no longer struggling to breathe.  After we got home, I moved her toddler bed into our room and she slept there for two nights so I could keep a close eye on her.  I am happy to report she is doing much better and happy :)

No matter how many times I have worked my kiddos through croup it is absolutely terrifying!!! EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!  I feel like a newbie.  It is a virus that settles in the throat in the opening to the wind pipe.  It causes the opening to swell.  The cough sounds like a bark.  It is very distinct.  She caught the cold virus my olders had, and unfortunately turned into croup :(

I actually thought I was going to lose Bella on Tuesday night, and I felt paralyzed for a moment on how to help her.  I could see the fear in her eyes and I hope she didn't see the fear in mine.  So grateful to hold and kiss her.  Thankful for the medical care I could access for her and the power of prayer.  And also knowing that even though I felt "alone" that night, I wasn't.  HE was there with us.

My School Girl

It's been a long journey and much prayer...but even in the midst of my unbelief and lack of faith at times, my hopes and dreams for Grace regarding school have become a reality.  It is no surprise to know that Grace struggled and I mean "struggled" with school last year. Last February we began piecing together the puzzle of some of her symptoms and anxieties.  We home schooled her for the last semester and we went to doctors and therapists, specialists and she had specialized testing. We crossed through the valley, and have come up on the other side.  She is stronger, healthier and ready to return to the classroom come September 5th. Grace will begin a new chapter in her schooling at a private school called Camas Christian Academy.

I have wished this for Grace for a VERY long time, but money being tight I had "let go" of the dream that this could be an option for her.  You see to make this dream a reality...this mama...will be teaching part-time morning kindergarten at Camas Christian Academy this year (housed in Grace Foursquare Church).  I wasn't looking for this job, but it found me.  I could go on and on about how many amazing things have happened and what confirmation I have had regarding this opportunity, but mostly...I am just happy for this little girl!  When she heard I got the job, she yelled "YES! I get to go to school there!"  And knowing Grace and what she has been through...that is.a.big.deal!  

In case you hadn't noticed by the pictures they wear uniforms at this school (perfect for her OCD mind). She absolutely knows what to expect and finds peace in that.  I personally think she should be the newest Land's End model!  Her anxiety is lessened by the fact she doesn't have to ride the bus and she knows mama will be at school with her till noon.  *She has had tremendous anxiety since the shootings at Clackamas Town Center and the shootings at the school in December.  She will often bring it up those events out of the blue and worry about Mark or I if we are in a store too long.  We love on her, and let her talk and reassure her things are just fine.  But, I think God knew exactly what she needed in terms of her school and met her need, and in turn met my needs too.  :)  Feeling VERY blessed!   

Fourth of July & Updates

I have not been keeping up with blogging as of late.  Life has continued to speed by...me unable to stop it despite my best efforts.  The kids keep growing, changing and living life!  

We've been enjoying the lazy, fun days of summer.  We've seen 3 movies, gone mini golfing, Luke and Grace have rode their quads several times, camping, bbq's, the Clark County Fair, overnights at Mimi's house and Grandma's camp.  It has been fun...a lot of fun.

Right now my brother and sis are up visiting from Southern California.  The visit is almost over and it has gone by to quickly...much like life...going by too quickly.  Like Luke asked, "Why can't they live in Washington?"  His little mind doesn't understand why they don't just exist here.  I can't blame him.  I miss them terribly.  It is difficult for me not to daydream about what living next door would be like...how our lives would be richer for having them closer, but we are grateful for visits and Skype and Facebook and technology that keeps us connected.

This cute little three-year-old has blossomed this summer.  She has bloomed in a way that delights my heart. She spent time with her "best friend" and asks daily to go to her house to play.  She is completely potty trained (even at night), has overcome some of her sensory issues.  Bella has started imaginary playing and telling jokes :)

Last Monday our ENTIRE house was re-plumbed.  That was a fun adventure :)

Our living room received a new hardwood floor.

Our van got 4 new tires.

At the end of the month we are putting on a new roof.

Needless to say...we are BROKE!  But all of our needs have been met.

We are looking at the last days of summer...and then heading into the fall season.

Difficult to believe that the summer has almost already flown by.  Almost one for the books.

It also has been a summer I have been reminded of God's faithfulness.  Its been a good one...full of joy and happiness and answered prayer...And even a special SURPRISE! (More on that to follow soon).

Counting Blessings

Last week was a "hold on tight to the seat of your pants" type of week in the Dahl house :) It was a roller coaster of events, but I decided to that instead of focusing on everything that went wrong (rain out camping, finding out the house needs 4,000 dollars of new plumbing, the van needs new tires, we need a new roof, etc.) that I would share the things in my life in which I am thankful for.  Because...lets face it...life is going to happen, stuff is going to break and need replacing and while I have no idea where all this money is going to come from, I am choosing to think about the many blessings in my life.

 

I am blessed because Grace got a new bed! My cousin Shauna read about the need we had for a new bed for Grace and GAVE us this beautiful white trundle bed, which, by the way matches Miss Grace's personality exactly! Her husband even drove the bed to our home from Seattle with a whole "crazy truck load of fun" as she called it. And.it.was!!! Coats, shoes, dvd's, clothes, toys, sheets and all sorts of blessings delivered to our home.  And the great part is that we are in turn able to bless some other families by cleaning out our closets and paying it forward. Thank you again Shauna and family.

I am thankful for my wonderful family.  They are busy and crazy and tons of work and keep me on my toes, but oh how I LOVE them!   

 

Words can't capture how much I LOVE this man!   My popcorn eating, camping, mountain climbing, motorbike riding, outdoors man.  14 years of marriage and I love him more today than ever before. 

I'm thankful for my children...who love the same crazy stuff Mark and I do!

I am thankful for the crazy 3 year old, smarty pants that keeps me laughing and smiling!

Blessed to take some trips...to be able to give our kiddos life experiences!  Thankful for BIG brother!

Thankful for sisters!

Blessed to have medical care, therapies, doctors and specialists to help be apart of the Dahl "team" to make sure life is great for these 3 little special people.  Blessed that the state of Washington decided to reimburse the premium health insurance payments each month and we have an extra $200 dollars a month.  

Blessed by my mom in more ways than I can describe.  So glad she moved back to the 'couve'.  Still so thankful for the girls Hawaii trip we were able to go on together.  What fun and what memories we have!  I'm ready to go again!!!

Thankful to a railroad that provides for our family.  So grateful for Mark's job, for his leadership, his commitment and his integrity.

Blessed by uncles and aunts that make life a little more special for my kiddos, who are amazing friends to me and who I can count on.  

A Special Kind of Person

 

As my children were arguing this morning, and it was the moment where I was contemplating whether I should go intervene or let them "work it out" that I found this saying.  It resonated with my spirit. 

 

How many times have I had people tell me what an incredible, special, wonderful person I am to take care of and advocate for my kiddos with special needs?  More than I can remember...I always have kind words and express thanks, but I ALWAYS tell them that Luke/Grace have been my biggest inspiration and teachers.  That I am who I am and do what I do....wait for it...because of THEM! 

 

When Luke entered my world almost 10 years ago, he changed my life's course.  He caused me to grow up and taught me how to fight.  I watched him week after week in therapy...I watch him now.  My little fighting hero!  Medical appointments, counseling, therapy, heart surgery, ear surgery, glaucoma specialist (I can't even watch them measure the pressures in his eyes because it looks so painful), nightly eye drops, struggles with school work, struggles with peers, but his tenacity of purpose and incredible LOVE of life inspires me day after day after day after day.  He does NOT lose heart....so I don't lose heart (even on the days it feels sooooo difficult) because there are those days (more than I let on).  The days where I let the wonders and worries of my heart surface.  Thoughts I don't ever say out loud, anxiety that I keep disguised.  But I am human...those thoughts are there.  Will Luke ever be able to drive a car?  Will he be able to hold a job?  Will he need to live with us for his lifetime?  Will he go blind?  How will Grace do at school this year?  She will be able to control her OCD?  The answers won't ever change the fact that he is my SON and she is my DAUGHTER!  If you knew their entire story...if you saw with your own eyes where Luke and Grace came from...you would know God rescued them!!!  For that fact alone...I KNOW God has something BIG planned for Grace and Luke's lives.  And the fact, that God could have chosen ANYONE to be their mommy and HE choose ME...little,

imperfect, unqualified me.  I am humbled.

 

In the meantime I continue to fight, to battle, to advocate, to prepare, to teach, to plan, to make sure that Luke and Grace have every available resource made available to them.  It surely doesn't make me "a special kind of person because I care for children with special needs"...but "my kids with special needs INSPIRE me to be a special kind of person."  It is because of who they are and the grace of God that I am who I am. 

You can read more about being a Special Needs Mom HERE
Thanks for reading! :)


What NOT to Do with Your Cell Phone...

 

On Monday I made a mistake!  A BIG mistake!!! I was rushing around the house late for an appointment.  I hurried out the door and went to unlock the van.  My arms were full of my purse, water cup and cell phone.  I decided to be responsible and set my cell phone on top of the van so I could retrieve the keys on the bottom of purse instead of setting my phone on the ground (cause that would be a dumb idea).  Found my keys!  In the van...me, keys, purse, water cup.  Start up van...drive away (with the cell phone still on top of the van)...PERFECT!  I ROCK! 

My phone made it a couple of miles before it fell off.  Pretty impressive if you ask me.  Yep my hidden talent...driving long distances with a cell phone on top of a vehicle!  It was the moment I pulled up to my appointment to turn off my cell phone that I realized that it was gone.  The moment when your stomach sinks to the ground and you have that startling realization that OH.CRAP...

So I retrace my route...all the while wishing that I just "forgot" my cell phone in the house.  Then out the corner of my eye...I see it!  BOOM...my cell phone case.  "Perfect" I think, my cell phone is miraculously still there intact. Hooray....happy dance...celebrate!  I pull over and walk up to my cell phone case only to find the phone is missing.  My case had been pulled apart into two pieces and thrown in the gutter.  My phone was no where to be seen.  No pieces implying it had been destroyed.  Only a case with tire tracks marking the inside and no phone which meant that it was stolen!

Lesson's learned...
#1.  Don't put cell phone on top of a vehicle.
#2.  Be on time for appointments.
#3.  Be thankful your husband bought insurance for your phone.
#4.  Insurance companies can overnight cell phones.
#5.  Losing your cell phone/having your cell phone stolen is really a first
       world problem.
#6.  Even if the phone wasn't replaced life would go on. 
#7.  I am blessed!

Father's Day Without My Dad...

 

 

Every June, when the Father's day cards fill the store shelves, like Target and Walmart and even Safeway, I purposefully find myself avoiding them.  I pick up the cards we need, but usually I use the kiddos as a buffer between me and the cards.  "Which one do you think grandpa will like?  What about daddy?" I find myself saying these things.  I try not to let my mind "go there" and remember that it is once again another father's day that I can't tell "mine" all the things I want to... or even just once more how much I loved him, appreciated him, and valued him. 

This year I found myself walking down the aisle of father's day cards by myself.  I was looking at all the titles and choices and decided that this year I was going to buy my father a card.  I stood there for a while trying to decide which would be the best for him, fully knowing I couldn't give it to him.  Yes, I stood there in the middle of Safeway with tears streaming down my cheeks thinking of another Father's Day without him.  Yep...I bought my father whose been dead for almost 10 years a father's day card filled it out and wrote his name across the top.  I have no grave to lay it at because his ashes are scattered off the shores of a Maui beach, so it is in my top drawer of my night stand where I keep some pictures of him. 

                                                                (Letting dad go...at sunset off the

                                                                  beach at the Royal Lahina).

 



I miss him. Almost 10 years ago, I said one final good-bye to my dad.  He hugged me at the bottom of the stairs, told me he loved me and kissed me on my cheek.  As he ascended the stair case, I watched unknowingly the last time I would ever see my dad. He was young, at the age of 52, still a lifetime to live, places to go, babies to hold...but it was not meant to be. 

I really miss what a good friend he was.  Not only to everyone he met, but to me and my brother David.  He always made time for us, loved to chat and talk to us on the phone and was always up for an adventure.  I loved that he appreciated our individual interests and supported us.  I know he would have done the same for his grandchildren.  I feel much of my grief is surrounded by the fact that my kiddos never knew him.  He had so much to offer and he gave to so many.  I know his legacy lives on in David and I. 

 

 

This year on Father's Day weekend, we were able to spend it with my family celebrating my grandfather's 80th birthday.  I was so happy to give my kids a family experience that reminded me of the ones that I had as child.  Aunts and uncles and cousins and grandma's and grandpa's.  It is truly a great legacy to have.  My only wish was that my father was there to share it too.  His shoes remain unfilled (as they will always be). 

 

 

                      (Papa and his great-grandkids at his 80th birthday)

 



So Happy Father's Day Dad!  Thank you for living an incredible life, for leaving a legacy and for loving me.  Thank you for loving people more than stuff, having a FAITH that was real, and encouraging me to follow the plan in life that God had for me.  I'm passing that on to my 3 babies here, while I know you are watching my 3 babies in heaven.  XOXO

 

Love,

Me